The Pope’s announcement on Monday that he will resign at the end of February surprised the world, and even many of his closest aides.

But one friend of Pope Benedict XVI isn’t shocked at all.

“I’ve known him for many years. I’m not surprised at this decision that he made today because he’s always placed the emphasis – the priority of the Catholic Church over any kind of ambition,” the Former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Joseph Flynn, told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Monday. “I think he has really recognized and sees that this is an opportunity to move the Church forward for a more energetic person in good health.”

The Pope has admitted in the last four or five months that he is in declining health, Flynn said.

In the video above, Flynn says the timing of the Pope’s announcement may have to do with Lent, an important six week period for many Christian denominations leading to Easter Sunday, which begins this week.

soundoff(16 Responses)

I'm not a big fan of the catholic church per se, and I don't mean this comment of mine to seem overly negative, but your Nazi reference shows how little you understand of why he was in the hitler youth, and what it meant. He was in a catholic school, and it was required at the time and the leaders of that school put everyone in the hitler youth in order to keep the school open. They were told if they didn't, the school would be closed. It was one of those political moves that had no other implications. They didn't partake in any activites or anything else. I would be surprised if any of the kids even knew of it when it happened. That having been said, you can still dislike the guy, but it just would make sense to dislike him for real reasons.

Thats the reason why his friends & accomplices are not so surprised, they fear a mass suicide by the church officials!!! When Nostradamus predicted the destruction & end of Roman Empire ,he wasnt kidding!!! The time is just about NOW!!!! Infact it coincides with the end of the mayan call – Ender!!!!

Lightning hits St Peter's hours after Pope Benedict stuns cardinals with first resignation in 600 years
· Pontiff, 85, says health 'no longer adequate due to his advanced age'
· 'I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry'
· Made the decision in 'full freedom' but is aware of 'gravity of gesture'
· Doctor advised him 'not to take transatlantic flights for health reasons'
· Will retire on February 28, a decision that shocked even the Vatican
· The only Pope to quit for health reasons and first to stand down since Gregory XII in 1415

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Lightning struck the St. Peter's Basilica Monday, hours after Pope Benedict XVI announced that he will resign as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics on February 28. In this photo taken by Filippo Monteforte, the St. Peter's iconic dome received a direct hit from lightning during stormy weather.

So when did Christiane Amanpour turn into a Catholic apologist over the Pope's resignation? It's amazing how the mainstream media is completely ignoring the fact that the Vatican is facing legal action against the Pope over the thousands of pedophile priests. That Holy See's property has public liens against it for seizure.

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